“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. This is very easy imagery for modern society to understand as picturesque photos of vineyards flood social media and romantic comedies. It is true that great gardeners prune their branches to keep fruit healthy. After all, why let the sour fruit steal nutrients from the sweet fruit that will produce better wine? However, does this perfectly match the character of God? Yes, we see God’s wrath all throughout the Old Testament, countless examples. Yet, we also see God’s love and faithfulness to his people that earnestly call upon him.
So let’s take a deeper look at John 15:1-2. Jesus calls himself the true vine, and God is the gardener. That picture is simple and clearly tracks with Jesus’s teachings. The deviation comes in verse 2 where many translations use “cut-off.” The gardener cuts off every branch in HIM that bears no fruit. Would God cut off a branch that was in Jesus? The word used in Greek is airo. This word, like many ancient words, has dual meanings. Most translations utilize the meaning to cut off which tracks with modern vineyards and gardeners pruning away branches with shears. Yet, there is another meaning, a particularly powerful, meaning if you struggle with loving others the way Jesus did. This meaning is “to lift up.” This tracks with a biblical image of a vineyard; not every gardener would have vines climbing up. Some would have vines climbing along the ground, and the gardener would lift the branch up and place it on a rock to get more sun and become fruitful.
Let’s consider this in alignment with God’s character – who knows, sees, and understands all things. What would God do to an individual trying to live in Jesus but keeps failing; keeps falling into sin? If this person earnestly sought Jesus would God cut them off or lift them up? Don’t we love a God full of grace and mercy? Maybe there is not a right or wrong translation. Maybe this word is more powerful than we realize providing us insight into the dual nature of God: a redeemer and a discipliner.
Perhaps God does both. God can in fact lead with lifting up. God, as we have seen, could give this person every opportunity to truly live in Jesus; he is our provider and protector. Then should that person no longer live in the true vine, God prunes them away. Can we lead our life this way? Can we lean into lifting up first? Even the people, institutions, or belief systems that have harmed us and our families. What would our lives look like if we lifted up first? Could our entire existence be transformed? This is not to say never prune; God teaches pruning is important and warns about what characteristics to stay away from in ourselves and others. But when it comes to truly living in Christ – leading with love is more powerful and transformative than cutting off.
Dear God,
Thank you for the depth and majesty of your words. Thank you for drawing us deeper into a relationship with you and loving us like you do. Help us to love as you and Jesus’ love. Help us discern who needs lifting up or cutting off. Set our paths straight oh God so that we may live and follow you better. In Jesus name, the true vine, Amen.
